Darrell Keith Cohen

Cohen ~ Darrell Keith Cohen, Sr., 59, was born on December 11, 1965, to the late McKinley Cohen and Evelyn Randolph-Cohen in Jacksonville, Florida. He was the fifth of seven children. Darrell was raised in the First-Born Church of the Living God until he reached his adulthood. He was educated in Duval County Public School System where he attended and graduated in 1984 from Nathan B. Forrest High School (now named Westside High School). His sports activities included football where he played at Jeff Davis Junior High School.  In the early 1990’s, he pursued amateur boxing; he trained other teenage kids in boxing, and he later advertised and promoted many self-starting boxing events around Jacksonville. Darrell was a fighter, trainer, promoter and self-proclaimed champion. He loved to make everyone laugh with his funny personality. Darrell was the comedian within our family. He also loved training and teaching his granddaughter the game of tennis. Darrell worked a host of jobs to include the Jacksonville International Airport (JIA) until he pursued his career with the Jacksonville Transit Authority (JTA) for fifteen years until he retired in 2007. He was a former member of Antioch Pentecostal Church in Jacksonville, Florida under the leadership of Bishop John Green. 

One brother preceded Darrell in death, David Bernard Cohen. Darrell leaves behind to cherish his memory, wife, Donna Highsmith-Cohen; children, Darrell Keith Cohen Jr., Donnette Patrice Cohen; granddaughter, Alayna McGriff; siblings, Carletha Elizabeth Cohen-Griffin (Anthony) Fort Myers, FL, Kenneth Leon Cohen (Lynette) Jacksonville, FL, Celestine Cohen-Smith (Lucius) Jacksonville, FL, Anthony Ricardo Cohen (Felicia) Jacksonville, FL, Shantell Monique Cohen, Jacksonville, FL; godbrother, Roderick Cohen (Lashonda), Jacksonville, FL; mother-in-law, Yvonne J. Highsmith; nieces and nephews, April Griffin-Bolden (Ray Sr.), Jacksonville, FL, Michael Hunter, Jr. (Natasha) Jacksonville, FL, Anthony C. Griffin II, Fort Myers, FL, Lekisha Cohen, Jacksonville, FL, Janet Cohen-Miller, (Murtavius) Jacksonville, FL; his special and devoted niece, Tiffany Alberta, Jacksonville, FL, Tamekia Alberta-Clay (Derek) Jacksonville, FL, Ricardo Cohen, Jacksonville, FL; a host of great nieces and one great nephew; aunt, Mother Louvenia Richards; two favorite cousins, Frederick McClendon and Debra McBride; two special neighbors, Ms. Melvina Simmons and Ms. Carolyn Lewis; many cousins, dear friends, and neighbors.  His special friends and co-workers to also treasure his memories from childhood to adulthood, Daktari (DOC) McCoy, Kenny Gamble, Reginald DeVaughn, Ricky Wright and Kevin McCoy.

Celebration of Life service for Darrell Keith Cohen, Sr. will be 11:00AM Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Mt. Herman Missionary Baptist Church, 5527 Redpoll Avenue.  Visitation Friday from 5 – 7:00 PM at The Soutel Chapel.  Interment in Restlawn Memorial Park South. Because of the love of his family, arrangements entrusted to J. E. Fralin & Sons Funeral & Cremation Services, 5065 Soutel Drive, 904-924-9400

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